Building a Better Boyertown

Announces Oktoberfest 2014

By: Jeffrey C. Karver, Esq. and Joy Rota

Two hundred years ago, the people of Bavaria, in what is now Germany, began to gather together each September to celebrate the harvest. They called their celebration Oktoberfest. For the past five years, Building a Better Boyertown has hosted its own Oktoberfest celebration here in the heart of our small community. This event has provided the funds for BBB projects such as the recently completed “Street Scape” project in the center of town.

Boyertown’s Oktoberfest remains true to the original German Oktoberfest celebration by providing a market for local craftsman to display and sell their wares This year, BBB has expanded Oktoberfest to a two-day, fun-filled celebration. On Friday, September 19th, from 5:00pm – 9:00pm, please join the BBB in the Inner-Core Parking Lot as we kick off our weekend festivities. Food concessions will be available from local vendors and music from local band, Free Way, will play a variety of hits from the 60’s – present day.

Just as the Mayor of Munich opens the official Oktoberfest celebration, Boyertown’s own Mayor and Council President will arrive via horse-drawn carriage at 11:00am Saturday, September 20th for the ceremonial “tapping of the first keg”. This year’s entertainment has been expanded and includes something for everyone: 10:30am – Boyertown’s Alumni Band will start the event off. At12:00pm Boyertown’s own Stephanie Grace will perform. At 3:00pm – The Auerhahn Schuhplattler Dancers will dance us back to historical Bavaria. The Schuhplattler Dancers are known for their authentic German Folk Dancing and have been a highlight of past celebrations. At 5:00pm the BBB is pleased to present local German band Toad Creek Music and to end the festivities Vuja De will take the stage at 7:00pm.

If you are hungry during Oktoberfest some of our food vendors include: Sweet Beginnings, Hillbilly Barbecue, CD’s Place, The Grill Shop, J-Walkers Funnel Cake, The Schnitzel House, Kiwanis, and Philly Pretzels. And of course, what would an Oktoberfest be without a variety of your favorite beverages to accompany the food. Beer will be supplied by Rader Co, The Other Farm Brewery, Sly Fox Brewery, and Saucony Creek Brewery. Wine will be provided by Blair Vineyards and Manatawny Creek Winery.

If you’ve been collecting the authentic German Souvenir beer mugs, the BBB is pleased to offer our Sixth Anniversary mug and can be purchased before the event at Patsy’s Potpourri of Gifts, Serenity Fitness and Wellness, or the Building a Better Boyertown office, or on the day of the event for $25.00. Please join the BBB in celebrating Pennsylvania’s German heritage, catch up with friends, and enjoy the early September under the Oktoberfest tent.